DC Attorney General Peter Nickles had sought to declare the billboards illegal, but no court overturned the "grandfather" provision that allowed them to remain. A spokesman for the firm said it cooperated in removing the billboards out of respect for the citizens and the agreement with the District government.

Linda Argo, the director of the Consumer and Regulatory Affairs agency, said the city will seek to remove other billboards located in residential neighborhoods, but conceded there is no legal requirement that they come down.

Under city law, there are fewer than 100 billboards in the city that are "grandfathered in" by current legislation. In addition to the classic billboards, there are 32 special advertising sites designated in the law. Those sites include the flexible banners that are wrapped around some building exteriors.